Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Police would be free to "name and shame" dangerous criminals in the community under proposals to be announced by the Conservatives today.

The Tories say the Human Rights Act all too frequently puts offenders firstThey say criminals enjoy an "automatic privacy" which has often meant the public being kept in the dark about offenders living in their midst.The Tories blame the Human Rights Act and flawed Government policy which they maintain puts the interest of criminals ahead of public safety.As an example they cite the killing of young mother Naomi Bryant from Winchester by a rapist on licence from a life sentence.

Rice's solicitor had argued that restrictions placed on his freedom breached his human rights.A report on the killing said Rice was too dangerous to have been released from jail.Plans to be unveiled at the Tory party's annual conference in Manchester today will include new guidance on when a convicted criminal's identity could be disclosed.

Rice: 'Too dangerous'

They will be outlined by Shadow Home Secretary Dominic Grieve, who wants to replace the Human Rights Act with a British Bill of Rights.He said: "Under Labour, the rights of criminals have been put before the rights of law-abiding citizens."A Conservative Government will free the police, probation and prison services to name offenders where necessary in order to protect the public and prevent crime."But the idea has been dismissed by Justice Secretary Jack Straw as a "deeply confused populist announcement" which ignored the facts.

Jack Straw: 'Hasty policy'

"This is yet another piece of policy hastily cobbled together by the Tories," Mr Straw said."The outcomes of court cases are already on the public record. Courts are open so that justice can be seen to be done.

"Police are able to use this information to inform the public, and regularly make announcements about wanted criminals."